Delve Into Jesus : Questions : Ear-Ring And Trouser

Comments

Mike,

Welcome and thanks for visiting. Someone asked a very similar question a few weeks ago about hair length and women covering their hair. Let me paste a little of that reply below. Please let us know if this helps:

I think it's important to acknowledge that we have to be sensitive of the time and culture to which Paul was addressing his comments. Underneath every custom or culturally accepted practice is some truth of law or principle. Culture, customs and societies change, but God certainly does not, and his commandments and laws do not. Our challenge is to determine the law or principle that is underneath the surface of these customs. In other words, hair is just hair and is no big deal, but what is Paul trying to accomplish in this teaching? Whatever that truth is, it never changes. We have to "get to the bottom of it."

So, with this in mind, all I can do is offer my opinion. Truly, the best thing is to ask God, and hope He reveals to you though prayer what he is asking of you today.

In almost every case, when Paul or another apostle commands us to obey some cultural custom, the goal is to distance ourselves from the pagans. This was a very serious issue in the 1st century. Many new Christians had been gentiles and/or pagans, and Paul wants to ensure that they do not slip back into their old ways. It was also important and that they do not have any kind of external appearance that would make people think that they are still worshiping their old idols. This is the reason for the decree not to get tattoos, not to have body piercings, and many others.

I believe that the decree for women to have long hair and for men to have short hair was given for the same reason, and I believe it is still important today. Rightly or wrongly, people judge by appearances. As Christians, we need to avoid doing anything that would cause others to be uncomfortable with us. This is particularly true when we are witnessing to non-Christians.

As a man, I could deliver the Gospel very well with tattoos, long hair, a nose ring and all the rest. The same is true of a woman with a shaved head and a dozen nose rings. However, if I dress this way, there will be some people who will never be able to get past the image. There would always be some that would see that "look" and think I must be a criminal or a devil-worshiper. They would not listen to a word I had to say.

So, I believe Paul is simply saying that we need to look the part, respect our bodies and respect that others will judge our appearance, and so we need to present a good image. We must not give anyone reason to think that we have slipped into "pagan" ways.

4/20/2008 8:55:28 AM - arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

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